Did You Know?: Roller Derby

October 4, 2012

Christine Jackson, associate professor of management, says she
loves the adrenaline rush she gets from playing roller derby.

Jackson, known by her teammates as "Get Shorty," has
been playing for the local roller derby team, the Lafayette Brawlin' Dolls,
since October 2011.

"It's exhilarating," Jackson says. "At bouts I
get nervous, excited and pumped up. It's weird to feel that way again at
37."

The season's final home bout for the team comes Saturday (Oct.
6) at Family Sports Center. The "veteran" team will play at 6 p.m.
and the "fresh meat" team of newer members, including Jackson, will
play at 8 p.m. The center is located at 3242 W
250 N in West Lafayette.

Roller derby is played on a flat track where teams work to
score and prevent opposing points. Points are scored when a team's
"jammer" passes the hips of the opposing "blockers."
Blockers must work to prevent opposing jammers from passing while
simultaneously trying to help their jammers score.

Although it is a full contact and fast-paced sport, Jackson
says a great amount of strategy goes into the game from both the jammers and
the blockers.

Jackson has been playing with the Brawlin' Dolls for almost a
year. She first learned about the team from a flier and immediately decided to
visit a game.

"At first I was hesitant to join because I'm in my late
30s and I'm only 4 feet 11 inches tall," Jackson says. "But I really
loved everything about roller derby, and I've found that anybody -- regardless
of size or age -- is welcome to play."

The team consists of more than 20 women between the ages of 18
and 40. Jackson says some of her favorite aspects of the sport include the
camaraderie among players and the encouraging atmosphere from everyone
involved; she finds the entire culture of the sport very supportive, and she
has even received help and pointers from members of other teams.

Along with Jackson, several Purdue staff, alumni and current
students play for the team.

At Purdue, Jackson's research topics include fairness in the
workplace and team effectiveness. She teaches undergraduate, master's, and PhD
courses in the Krannert School of Management.

Tickets for home games can be purchased in advance for $12 at
People's Brewing Co., Von's Records, Harley Davidson and K. Dees Coffee &
Roasting Co., or for $13 at the event. Bouts are family-friendly events, and
children age 10 and under are admitted for free.

The team will be hosting a boot camp Oct. 14 for women
interested in joining the team. Organizers are also looking for more referees
and volunteers to help with the team and bouts. No skating experience is
required to join. More information is available at www.brawlindolls.com and on the team’s
Facebook page.

This is the first year Lafayette Brawlin' Dolls has had two
full teams of players, due to the large crop of new skaters that have joined
the team.

"Even if someone has seen us play before, they're in for
excitement," Jackson says.